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Three Lions' top talents struggle to fit in the same lineup - is Tuchel right?
Having secured six victories from six matches, an unbreached defense and World Cup qualification assured before the final rounds, England manager Thomas Tuchel might claim he has chosen wisely throughout qualification.
However, in the lead-up to Thursday's home game against Serbia, he initiated discussion when he stated that three of the country's best players - Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane - cannot play in the equivalent formation.
"Presently, if we keep the structure, they are unable to feature.
"It's possible but not within this system, not preserving harmony that we created and not within the framework that incorporates wingers who are highly specialized in their positions. We play at the moment with specific numbered positions."
From guaranteed positions to competitive roles
The Manchester City and Real Madrid stars have been utilized out wide for England in the past, but his team selections imply that the Manchester United forward and Bukayo Saka are his preferred options on the left and right flank respectively.
So can Bellingham, Foden and Kane coexist in the lineup?
Gareth Southgate apparently believed they could.
Bellingham, Foden and Kane were selected for each England's seven matches at last summer's tournament in Germany, where Southgate's side lost to Spain in the final.
In the 16 fixtures the trio have played alongside each other, England have secured 10 victories, tied three matches and lost three, registering 36 scores and letting in 14 strikes.
Analysis: Foden's versatility gives Tuchel options
Tuchel has employed a four-two-three-one setup that alters structure when England attack.
The Aston Villa player has been the main number 10 because of his excellent dribbling, ball-striking and capacity to penetrate the area when the forward retreats.
Tuchel has discussed favoring natural flank operators. The wide attackers play out wide weekly and can maintain possession effectively, take their full-back on, and enter the area to finish.
In midfield behind the attackers, Tuchel plays with a midfield two consisting of a holding midfielder and another with greater freedom to contribute to the attack.
What solutions exist for the trio?
Foden and Bellingham would be vying against attacking alternatives for the creative hub, with Kane likely to start up front.
Foden could operate as the number nine, which potentially could allow both Bellingham and Foden to play at Kane's expense.
There is one way all three could feature together and Tuchel alluded to it this week.
"With his club, he functions as a number eight or 10, so perhaps in coming months we regard him as a number eight," he said.
Foden has been utilized as a flexible midfielder this season.
That has allowed him to take responsibility deeper and could position him as the advanced playmaker, alongside a holding midfielder.
This would then allow Bellingham to play as the creative force and Kane as the striker.
Irrespective of whether Tuchel decides to set England up like this at the World Cup, what appears positive is his readiness to exclude star names in the interest of team harmony.
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